Comparison of the efficiency (flash point, freezing point, and viscosity test) of biodiesels from Sargassum sp.

Abstract

Biodiesel, an alkyl ester compound produced through an alcoholysis process (transesterification) between triglycerides and methanol or ethanol with the help of alkaline catalysts into alkyl esters and glycerol, is an alternative renewable fuel. A total of 75 ml of used cooking oil and 5 kg dry Sargassum sp. was used. Five different treatments, namely P0 (Commercial Biosolar), P1 (100% Sargasssum sp. Biodiesel), P2 (75% Sargasssum sp. Biodiesel + 25% Biosolar), P3 (50% Sargasssum sp. Biodiesel + 50% Biosolar) and P4 (25% Sargasssum sp. Biodiesel + 75% Biosolar) were tested according to the biodiesel efficiency parameters. The efficiency test of the biodiesel included the flash point, freezing point and viscosity test. The tests were conducted with the help of the panelists prior to laboratory testing the best biodiesel sample. The panelist tests were conducted by involving 9 panelists with a replication of 5 treatments each. Seaweed oil from Sargassum sp. and used cooking oil were proven to be capable of being used as materials to produce biodiesel. Based on the study results, the most efficient combination was 75% Sargassum sp. biodiesel and 25% biosolar.